Species new to the Texas Gulf is the 'feral hog' of the ocean

Updated 3:15 pm, Tuesday, July 15, 2014

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Lionfish, which are popular in aquariums because of their unique-looking, venomnous spiky fins and rays, are native to the Pacific Ocean but during the last few decades have spread to the Atlantic, mostly along the East Coast and near Florida. less

Lionfish, which are popular in aquariums because of their unique-looking, venomnous spiky fins and rays, are native to the Pacific Ocean but during the last few decades have spread to the Atlantic, mostly along ... more

Photo: Picasa 2.0, Courtesy, Wikimedia

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Lionfish, which are popular in aquariums because of their unique-looking, venomnous spiky fins and rays, are native to the Pacific Ocean but during the last few decades have spread to the Atlantic, mostly along the East Coast and near Florida.

Lionfish, which are popular in aquariums because of their unique-looking, venomnous spiky fins and rays, are native to the Pacific Ocean but during the last few decades have spread to the Atlantic, mostly along

Lionfish, which are popular in aquariums because of their unique-looking, venomnous spiky fins and rays, are native to the Pacific Ocean but during the last few decades have spread to the Atlantic, mostly along the East Coast and near Florida. less

Lionfish, which are popular in aquariums because of their unique-looking, venomnous spiky fins and rays, are native to the Pacific Ocean but during the last few decades have spread to the Atlantic, mostly along ... more

Photo: Courtesy, Wikimedia

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Red dots show reporting sightings of lionfish via the United States Geological Service.

Red dots show reporting sightings of lionfish via the United States Geological Service.

Photo: USGS

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These are some of the most dangerous marine animals found off the coast of Texas.

These are some of the most dangerous marine animals found off the coast of Texas.

Photo: AP

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Stingrays have sharp barbs that have toxins and bacteria that can cause severe pain of unlucky beachgoers who step on them.

Stingrays have sharp barbs that have toxins and bacteria that can cause severe pain of unlucky beachgoers who step on them.

Photo: McClatchy-Tribune News Service

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Hardhead catfish have extremely hard spines that could puncture a tire. Once they die, the fish commonly wash up on the beach and pose a danger of being stepped on.

Jellyfish, one of the most common dangers on Texas beaches, cause minor to severe pain with a toxic sting.

PHOTO: Moon jellyfish are common in Gulf Coast waters.

Jellyfish, one of the most common dangers on Texas beaches, cause minor to severe pain with a toxic sting.

PHOTO: Moon jellyfish are common in Gulf Coast waters.

Photo: Dan Kitwood, Getty

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Shark bites are extremely rare and have happened less than 50 times in Texas unprovoked. Bull sharks are the most aggressive.

PHOTO: In this photo provided by Damian Diaz, from left, Diaz, James Sparks and Justin Lyons pose with an 8-foot bull shark caught Sunday, July 3, 2011 on Bolivar Peninsula beach. The 300-pound shark caught by Diaz and his family was released back into the Gulf after the group snapped a few photos to commemorate the catch. less

Shark bites are extremely rare and have happened less than 50 times in Texas unprovoked. Bull sharks are the most aggressive.

PHOTO: In this photo provided by Damian Diaz, from left, Diaz, James Sparks and ... more

Photo: AP

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Blacktip sharks are also common on Texas beaches.

Blacktip sharks are also common on Texas beaches.

Photo: Matthew D. Potenski, AP

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Tiger sharks are less common in Texas, but known for being aggressive.

Tiger sharks are less common in Texas, but known for being aggressive.

Photo: Kat Wade

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Barracuda, while the fish are very rare, they pose a small danger to snorkelers and divers.

PHOTO: A barracuda swims by a rig that has been made into an artificial reef in the Gulf of Mexico.

Barracuda, while the fish are very rare, they pose a small danger to snorkelers and divers.

PHOTO: A barracuda swims by a rig that has been made into an artificial reef in the Gulf of Mexico.

Photo: Chris Ledford, Texas Parks And Wildlife Department

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Photo: Wikimedia

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Lionfish, which are popular in aquariums because of their unique-looking, venomnous spiky fins and rays, are native to the Pacific Ocean but during the last few decades have spread to the Atlantic, mostly along the East Coast and near Florida. less

Lionfish, which are popular in aquariums because of their unique-looking, venomnous spiky fins and rays, are native to the Pacific Ocean but during the last few decades have spread to the Atlantic, mostly along ... more

Photo: Courtesy, Wikimedia

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Mussels move in

Zebra mussels are a top invasive species, with the worst infestation (so far) in Lake Texaoma, officials say. They also threaten the Trinity River basin.

Zebra mussels are a top invasive species, with the worst infestation (so far) in Lake Texaoma, officials say. They also threaten the Trinity River basin.

Photo: U.S. Department Of Agriculture , AP

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Mollusk hitchhikers

Boaters around Lewisville Lake, near Dallas, are alerted to the zebra mussel problem.

Boaters around Lewisville Lake, near Dallas, are alerted to the zebra mussel problem.

Photo: Uriel Garcia, STF

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Pigs gone wild

Ranchers and sportsmen introduced European wild hogs to Texas in the 1930s for hunting. Most of the hogs escaped from game ranches and the rest of the nightmare is history.

Ranchers and sportsmen introduced European wild hogs to Texas in the 1930s for hunting. Most of the hogs escaped from game ranches and the rest of the nightmare is history.

Photo: Shannon Tompkins, Houston Chronicle

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Extreme measures

Feral pigs have become such a problem that Texas adopted a law allowing hunters to shoot from helicopters.

Feral pigs have become such a problem that Texas adopted a law allowing hunters to shoot from helicopters.

Photo: Eric Gay, Associated Press

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That's not a pet

Kevin Hernandez and Kortnie Coles play with a nutria at Hermann Park on in October 2008.

Kevin Hernandez and Kortnie Coles play with a nutria at Hermann Park on in October 2008.

Photo: Julio Cortez, Houston Chronicle

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South American immigrant

The semi-aquatic Myocastor coypus is blamed for decimating marshlands worldwide. This one makes its home in in Jones County Park in Humble.

The semi-aquatic Myocastor coypus is blamed for decimating marshlands worldwide. This one makes its home in in Jones County Park in Humble.

Photo: Houston Chronicle File

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Fur trade victim

The first nutria arrived in the United States in 1899 to be farmed for fur in California. That state also managed the first successful eradication program.

The first nutria arrived in the United States in 1899 to be farmed for fur in California. That state also managed the first successful eradication program.

Photo: Houston Chronicle File

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Honoring a pest

Marshall, Texas, celebrates the fire ant with an annual festival and parade.

Marshall, Texas, celebrates the fire ant with an annual festival and parade.

Photo: BRENT MITCHELL, Marshall News Messenger / AP

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Could this be a cure?

Texas A&M researchers have pinpointed a natural virus that kills fire ants, which arrived in the U.S. in the 1930s.

Texas A&M researchers have pinpointed a natural virus that kills fire ants, which arrived in the U.S. in the 1930s.

Residents noticed a growing number of attacks starting in 2004 and an expert attempted to poison Abilene's Africanized bee population.

Residents noticed a growing number of attacks starting in 2004 and an expert attempted to poison Abilene's Africanized bee population.

Photo: JOSIE LIMING, Abilene Reporter-News / AP

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Tiger prawn problems

A population boom of tiger shrimp could pose a threat to the Gulf of Mexico's $700 million shrimping and fishing industry, officials say.

A population boom of tiger shrimp could pose a threat to the Gulf of Mexico's $700 million shrimping and fishing industry, officials say.

Photo: Houston Chronicle File

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Mammoth catch

A Brownsville trawler brought in this monster in December 2011. The red lionfish joins the tiger prawn as the Gulf's newest invaders.

A Brownsville trawler brought in this monster in December 2011. The red lionfish joins the tiger prawn as the Gulf's newest invaders.

Photo: Coastal & Marine Resources Texas Sea Grant Extension

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Carp causes issues

An Asian bighead carp is shown at Chigago's Shedd Aquarium in 2010. Texas is fighting four different varieties now.

An Asian bighead carp is shown at Chigago's Shedd Aquarium in 2010. Texas is fighting four different varieties now.

Photo: M. Spencer Green, Associated Press

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Problem gets national attention

A congressional panel's hearing turned fishy in February 2010, when officials opposed introduction of the Asian carp into the Great Lakes.

A congressional panel's hearing turned fishy in February 2010, when officials opposed introduction of the Asian carp into the Great Lakes.

Photo: Manuel Balce Ceneta, ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Floral nightmare

Giant salvinia, a floating plant from South America, reproduces and expands so quickly it can smother the life from small lakes.

Giant salvinia, a floating plant from South America, reproduces and expands so quickly it can smother the life from small lakes.

Photo: Shannon Tompkins, Houston Chronicle

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Aggressive plant

Mike Homer of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department says giant salvinia is one of the nation's most aggressive and destructive invasive aquatic plants.

Mike Homer of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department says giant salvinia is one of the nation's most aggressive and destructive invasive aquatic plants.

Photo: Shannon Tompkins, Houston Chronicle

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Another plant problem

Kenneth Hausmann shows some of the hydrilla that thrives in Lake Austin. It took hold in 2002.

Kenneth Hausmann shows some of the hydrilla that thrives in Lake Austin. It took hold in 2002.

Photo: HARRY CABLUCK, AP

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Boaters to blame?

Officials say boaters have spread harmful aquatic plants across much of eastern Texas by letting them hitch rides on trailers.

Officials say boaters have spread harmful aquatic plants across much of eastern Texas by letting them hitch rides on trailers.

Photo: Shannon Tompkins, Houston Chronicle

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Clam concerns

Texas officials don't know much about the Asian clam, except that fish and crayfish have added them to their diet.

Texas officials don't know much about the Asian clam, except that fish and crayfish have added them to their diet.

Photo: Philip Kamrass, Albany Times Union

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Disease risk for wildlife

While the new diet might help control the Asian clam population in Texas, officials say they also may carry new disease.

While the new diet might help control the Asian clam population in Texas, officials say they also may carry new disease.

Photo: Paul Buckowski, Albany Times Union

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Species new to the Texas Gulf is the 'feral hog' of the ocean

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SAN ANTONIO - A growing invasive population of lionfish in the Atlantic Ocean is spreading in the Gulf of Mexico and divers are spotting the venomous fish more often and in increasingly shallow water.

Lionfish, which are popular in aquariums because of their unique-looking, venomous spiky fins and rays, are native to the Pacific Ocean but during the last few decades have spread to the Atlantic, mostly along the East Coast and near Florida.

Since then, the lionfish have become more prevalent in the Gulf, and last week Stunz saw dozens of lionfish in about 70 feet of water. The fish are typically not near the shore, but Stunz said he expects to see more lionfish in the Gulf this year in increasingly shallow water.

"(These fish) are the talk of the marine biology community right now," said Stunz. "Lionfish are the ocean's equivalent to wild hogs."

Lionfish spawn at a very high rate, Stunz said, and do not have any natural predators in the Atlantic Ocean, mostly because of their spiny fins. The fish are relatively small, typically around a pound and 12 inches in length.

Scientists believe the fish were introduced into the Atlantic Ocean either by hurricanes destroying aquariums in Florida or individuals releasing them as pets.

To kill their prey, the lionfish trap them in crevasses and shoot water jets to stun the fish long enough to eat.

"They are very voracious and can disrupt the whole balance of a coral reef," Stunz said. "Scientifically, we don't have a well-enough understanding to know all the problems they may present... We are worried that these fish could eventually deplete species like red snapper or grouper."

To combat the growing problem, some organizations and restaurants are attempting to market the fish for food, or "eat our way out of a problem," as Stunz put it.

"There's been a real push to get people to start eating them," said Rick Groomer, president of Groomer Seafood in San Antonio.

Groomer said the fish isn't extremely tasty; he ranked it a 6 out of 10. The fish is about as expensive as Chilean sea bass at $18 per pound, he said.

The fish are dangerous and tough to handle because of the spines, Groomer said, as well as difficult to prepare.

Restaurants in Houston and Corpus Christi have began selling the lionfish, but it doesn't appear any in San Antonio have taken the leap yet.

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